Page 438 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

“Guess we’re about to find out what horrors await us inside.” Stella pushed out the rear door, and Kyle popped the trunk.

“I’ll take the back door.” Kyle smoothed down the Velcro straps of his vest.

Addie and Stella did the same.

“You guys take the front?”

They both nodded.

“Let’s move.”

Lord, let me find them. Please.

Kyle disappeared around the side of the house. Stella let Addie go first.

“Not sure I’m interested in announcing ourselves.”

Stella said, “Are we worried about explosive devices?”

Addie stopped at the front door. “Well, I amnow.”

Stella didn’t smile. “Back up. Let me.”

Before Addie could ask why Stella was the one who should put herself in harm’s way, her colleague kicked the front door in. Stella hesitated a second.

When there was no explosion or gunfire, she headed inside. “FBI!”

Addie followed right behind her. They cleared each room systematically, but the place had no occupants. “This is the original furniture.”

Addie could picture Hank’s mother, sitting in the recliner. Smoking and watchingCops.

She followed, and they cleared the kitchen, meeting up with Kyle, who said, “Bedroom and bathroom are clear.”

Addie stared at the empty kitchen. “Do we have a whereabouts on the mother?”

Kyle shook his head. “Word is she left town years ago, but we haven’t found anything to corroborate that either way.”

Stella winced. “Basement, anyone?”

Kyle glanced over, and she motioned to a door. “Yep.”

“Good.” Stella stifled a shiver. “You can go first.”

Kyle stepped toward it. “Age before beauty?”

He was through the door before Stella frowned.

Addie followed him down a set of steps. “Any sign they’re down here?”

Kyle swept the storage area first. At the end was a padlocked door. He stowed his weapon and found a crowbar.

Stella and Addie held their weapons ready. Kyle forced the padlock off.

The moment the door opened, the smell hit Addie before anything her eyes could comprehend.

Stella muttered something behind her hand.

Kyle said, “I’ll call PD.”

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